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Planning a wedding requires organization and
attention to the most minute details, and
sometimes it can be hard to remember
everything that you need to! Take a peek at
our checklist - Make your Wedding in Maine a
dream come true!
12-6 MONTHS BEFORE
THE WEDDING
- Announce your intention to marry to
BOTH sets of parents. Arrange to have
them meet if they haven't already.
- Determine type (formal,
semi-formal, informal), style and theme of
the wedding.
- Make a list of what is important to you for
your wedding; this will help you determine
your budget.
- Sit down with your fiancé and ALL parents
and discuss the wedding budget, and who will
pay for what.
- Get or make a wedding organizer (a 3 ring
binder with pockets works great). Use it to
store all your information, contracts,
ideas, photos, etc.
- Speak with your clergy/officiate and
review synagogue/church requirements.
- Come up with 2 or 3 possible wedding
dates and start looking for ceremony and
reception venues. If a venue you like is
available on one of your chosen dates, book
it immediately; many venues will often be
booked up to 2 years in advance, so have
several choices in mind beforehand in case
they are already booked.
- If you are using one, start looking for
and book a wedding consultant.
- Together with your parents, begin
compiling your preliminary guest list.
You can always narrow down this list to
fit within your size requirements and
budget limitations at a late date
- Start looking for and interviewing
all the remaining vendors: If any vendor you
like is available on your date and
is within your budget, book them
IMMEDIATELY! Like reception and
ceremony venues, many of these
vendors can be booked up to a year
in advance.
- Start getting
ideas by looking through bridal
magazines, going to Bridal Fairs and
doing research on the internet.
- Finalize your
wedding colors, theme and style.
- Select your
attendants (bridesmaids, groomsmen,
ushers, flower girl and ring bear)
and ask them to honor you by being
in your wedding. Make sure they are
aware of what their "duties" are.
- Choose and
purchase your wedding rings.
- Begin looking at
honeymoon options. Discuss where you
both would like to go, and if needed
visit a travel agent.
- Start looking for
a wedding gown, veil, accessories
and your attendants attire.
-
Photographer
-
Videography
- Caterer (if needed)
- Officiate (if needed)
- Florist
6 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
2-3 MONTHS BEFORE THE WEDDING
-
Order your
wedding cake and groom's cake
-
Meet with your officiate to discuss details of the
ceremony
-
Finalize the
guest
-
Reconfirm the
rehearsal dinner plans list
-
Buy the cake
knife, guest book, toasting glasses
and garter
-
Choose gifts for
your attendants, parents, helpers.
-
Have the male
members of the wedding party,
including fathers, fitted for
tuxedos.
-
Reconfirm
honeymoon arrangements.
-
Start writing
your wedding vows, if you are doing
them yourself.
-
Start addressing
the invitations (or drop them off
with calligrapher)
-
Send out
invitations
-
Schedule a hair
and make up consultation to do a
trial run.
-
Start making/buying wedding favors
-
Obtain wedding license
-
Start making/buying wedding favor
-
Obtain wedding
license
-
Schedule your first
wedding dress fitting
-
Write thank you
notes for any gifts that may start
arriving.
-
If you are having
one, begin putting together your
ceremony program.
-
Meet with vendors
(caterer, florists, etc.) to
finalize arrangements. If you are
changing your name, complete the
proper documents.
-
Finalize music
selections for the ceremony and
reception and turn them
in to the
DJ/Band/etc.
-
Have formal
wedding portrait taken.
-
Finalize music
selections for the ceremony and
reception and turn them in to the
DJ/Band/etc.
-
Meet with your
officiate to finalize ceremony
details. Reserve room for
wedding night.
1 MONTH BEFORE THE WEDDING
-
Confirm honeymoon
your reservations.
-
Meet with
photographer and/or Videography to
discuss last minute details.
-
Start working on
the reception seating chart.
-
Have final
wedding gown fitting.
-
Arrange for a
reception babysitter, if needed.
-
Finish (and
print) the wedding program.
-
Finalize wedding
vows
-
Confirm all final
payment amounts with your vendors as
well as date, time, etc.
-
Pick up marriage
license.
2 WEEKS BEFORE THE WEDDING
-
Finalize
reception seating chart.
-
Confirm delivery
time and locations with florist.
-
Contact any
guests who did not respond to the
invitation.
1 WEEK BEFORE THE WEDDING
-
Pick up wedding
gown, attendants' gowns and all
accessories.
-
Pick up wedding
gown, attendants' gowns and all
accessories.
-
Reconfirm
everything with vendors one last
time.
-
Make sure men get
their final fitting for their
tuxedos.
1 DAY BEFORE THE WEDDING
-
Attend rehearsal
dinner.
-
Give attendants their gifts.
-
Have a manicure
and/or a pedicure.
-
Put together the
tip envelopes (for the vendors) and
give them to the designated "tip
person" (generally the best man).
-
Confirm wedding
day transportation.
-
Reconfirm hair
and make up appointments.
-
If you have access to
the ceremony and/or reception venues,
bring everything over there that you may
need (decorations, guest book, etc).
-
Layout everything
you need for the next day in a safe
place (marriage license, dress,
shoes, etc.).
-
Speak with
everyone in the wedding party and
make sure everyone knows where to be
at what time.
-
Try to go to bed
early and get some sleep.
YOUR WEDDING DAY
-
Eat breakfast,
even if you think you aren't hungry
-
Share a private
moment with your fiancé.
-
Have your hair
and makeup done.
-
Give the best man
the groom's ring.
-
Begin dressing
two hours before ceremony is
scheduled to begin.
-
Spend a quiet
moment looking at yourself in the
mirror before you walk down the
aisle.
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